Tributes pour in for David Williams whose memory will live on

The family of David Williams has paid tribute to the man with a ‘good sense of humour and quick wit’ after he died at the age of 61 on August 4.

Sister Pamela Williams-Ogg told the Leader that her brother lived with prostate cancer for three years but suffered a stroke which led to complications, leading to pneumonia.

In 1970, Ms Williams-Ogg said he was given three years to live after a brain tumour but went on to live another 49 years and dealt with his many disabilities including hearing impairment, hand-eye co-ordinations and vision impairment with a ‘quiet courage’.

Despite living with disabilities, himself, Mr Williams always put other people first and was a ‘ray of hope to anyone who received a bad medical diagnosis’.

She said: “David was someone who always thought of other people and he was very kind. He gave his time to a disabled charity that he volunteered for.

“He lived with disabilities from the age of 12 but he didn’t want to be defined by his disability. Even though his life was made more challenging because of different things, some of which were hidden, he wanted to be viewed as any other person.

Thomas David Ivor Williams

“He never gave up on his dreams of his career and travelling and training, he kept his skills up to date.

“Life was more challenging for him than most other people surrounding him at work and at home, but he never wanted to lose track of his dreams and ambitions.”

Mr Williams loved to travel and visited many places including Malta, Tenerife, America, Australia and Switzerland where he took part in skiing trips ‘in his younger days’.

He also loved to drive, take part in gardening, and play dominoes.

His sister added: “In addition to always thinking of other people he had very good sense of humour and a quick wit. He always managed to make people laugh when you wouldn’t expect it, he had a way of just making you laugh so I think that’s what people will remember him by.

“He was very popular in Sychdyn and in the Cross Keys Pub where he played dominoes and won several cups.

“He was also well-known across Deeside for playing dominoes. It was a childhood game that he carried on to adulthood.

“David fought his illness bravely and very positively. He was convinced he would live for many more years and he probably would have if he hadn’t had a stroke.

“It has been very tough. He will be sorely missed by the family and his many friends in Sychdyn and Bangor, but his memory will live on.”

Mr Williams also dedicated his time to volunteering at theFDF, which aims to offer help and support for disabled people across Flintshire and Wrexham.

Founder Jan Thomas said: “He was one of the most unassuming men I have had the privilege of knowing as a volunteer at our Tuesday group at Burntwood Community Centre for nearly a decade.

“David who was known as TDI to his friends, Thomas David Ivor Williams was profoundly deaf and had sight problems following a brain tumour when he was just 12 years old.

“He kept our 20 or so members at the Tuesday group well supplied with hot drinks and cakes but woe betide anybody who tried to interfere in his kitchen.

“He didn't appreciate any offers of help he always left the kitchen spotless. He also enjoyed our outings to the local pubs for meals and our annual excursion to Llandudno when he assisted the other members who needed a helping hand, pushing wheelchairs and helping them order meals.

“David came along to our Christmas and Summer parties always with a ready smile, David lived life to the full he was very popular in Sychdyn where he lived on his own enjoying dominoes at the local pub.

“He was a fine example of a man who wanted to give to others, in spite or maybe because of his own impairments, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him at the FDF.”

A memorial has been put in place for Mr Williams to be remembered by his friends at theFDF.

Donations from his funeral were donated back to the charity.

Jan added: “His connection to the FDF enabled him to make friends and get out and about he had a mischievous sense of humour.”